Franchise vs. Chain: Finding an Available Business to Open

In the business world, the terms "franchise" and "chain" are often used interchangeably, leading to some confusion. But if you’re a potential investor, understanding the key differences between them is crucial. Let's unravel the distinctions and explore how you can identify the right path when looking to open your own location of a national business.

Franchise vs. Chain: What's the Difference?

At first glance, franchises and chains seem like the same thing. Both involve multiple locations of a business offering the same products or services. However, there's a fundamental difference in ownership and operation.

A franchise is a business model in which an individual or group — the franchisee — purchases the rights to operate a business using the branding, products, and systems of an established company — the franchisor. While the franchisee owns and manages the individual location, they must adhere to the franchisor's guidelines. Most of the nation’s big-name fast-food restaurants, including McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, and Taco Bell, are franchises.

A chain, on the other hand, refers to a group of businesses owned and operated by a single entity. While each location bears the same name and sells the same thing, there is no independent ownership. All locations are under the direct control of the parent company, which earns the profits and takes responsibility for all the losses of all the stores. Chains are commonly referred to as company-owned stores or corporate-owned stores. One example is Apple. All Apple stores are owned and operated directly by Apple Inc. Starbucks is also primarily a chain, owning and operating the majority of its stores. However, they occasionally enter into licensing agreements with businesses to operate Starbucks locations within airports, universities, or hotels.

Chains have the advantage of retaining full control over their operations and keeping all profits. However, they bear the entire financial burden of expansion and operations. In contrast, franchising allows for faster growth and a broader reach, as franchisees supply the capital necessary for new units. While the franchisor must share profits through royalty fees, this model offers financial benefits to motivated owners.

Why Should I Franchise?

There effectively is no franchise-vs.-chain argument for the individual investor; since you can’t own a single location of a chain store, you should turn toward franchising. For most people looking to own a business, franchising is a more feasible choice.

Many successful companies extend franchise opportunities to qualified investors. This mutually beneficial model allows franchisors to expand their brand rapidly with the capital provided by franchisees. Franchisees, in turn, benefit from established branding, support, and a proven business model.

What to Look for When Opening a Franchise

While franchises are pieces of national companies, keep in mind that they are also local businesses. If you own a hardware store franchise in your community, it is just as much a small business as the mom-and-pop store across town. The difference is that they started everything from scratch, while you bought the rights to use a brand name and business model and must pay a royalty to the franchisor.

So, two of the most important things to consider when investing in a franchise are the market in which you’ll operate and the reputation of the brand. You’ll need to find a market with a high demand for the goods or services you offer, with limited competition and potential for growth.

You should also research the company's reputation and track record. Look for franchises known for their success, stability, and ethical practices. Your research should include an examination of their business model and how it aligns with your skills, interests, and long-term goals.

The Benefits of Franchising with Two Maids

Investing in Two Maids comes with a lot of franchise benefits. For starters, you get the recognition of our trusted brand in the competitive residential cleaning market. We stand out with our pay-for-performance model where customers rate each cleaning job based on the quality of the work and pay accordingly. We have also developed proprietary cleaning routines, so crews work efficiently, completing as many jobs as possible during the workday.

Contact Two Maids Today

Now that you understand the franchise vs. chain difference, we invite you to take a closer look at the benefits of franchising with Two Maids. Request info today, and a member of our franchise development team will answer your questions about what it takes to become part of the most recognizable names in residential cleaning.